§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of South Africa concerning the effect of United Kingdom gold sales on the South African economy. [99608]
§ Mr. HainOver the summer, after the Treasury's 7 May announcement about the restructuring of the UK's reserves, the UK Government and the South African Government kept in regular touch about gold sales. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke to South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and wrote to him on 27 May. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to President Mbeki after the 2 June elections and wrote to him on 11 June. Trevor Manuel met my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London on 20 July. The Governor of the Bank of England and the Chairman of the South African Reserve Bank also stayed in regular touch. A number of European central banks announced on 26 September that they would limit their gold sales over the next five years.